determining spectator ions

[Joanna Jin 1J]

How do conjugate acids and bases affect spectator ions (if they do at all)?

[Student 1H]

I do not believe that conjugate acids or bases can be spectator ions because they undergo a change in protonation state (addition or loss of a hydrogen ion) themselves. Spectator ions are ions that do not undergo any protonation change, so they should not be affected by conjugate acids or conjugate bases. This is why spectator ions are not reflected in dissociation reactions.